Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world. Yet, there are many simple lifestyle habits you can adopt to help reduce your risk of developing it.
![](https://foodsmartcolorado.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/8-steps-1024x683.jpg)
Here are eight steps to help prevent heart disease that are appropriate for all ages:
- Eat a wide variety of healthful foods. Eat meals that contain many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, low-fat or fat-free dairy, and healthy protein foods. Avoid foods that are high in saturated and trans fatty acids, added sugar, and sodium (salt).
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor or registered dietitian about how to lose weight safely.
- Be physically active at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
- Check your blood pressure regularly and have a doctor test your cholesterol levels at least once every five years.
- Get tested for diabetes and monitor your blood sugar (glucose) levels closely.
- Avoid use of and exposure to smoking and tobacco products.
- If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation. No more than one serving a day for women and two a day for men.
- Visit your doctor on a regular basis, even when you feel fine. Your doctor can check for and identify early signs of heart disease, sometimes long before symptoms start.
For more information, read Heart Health: Managing Heart Disease Through Diet: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/nutrition-food-safety-health/heart-health-managing-heart-disease-through-diet-9-384/.
Did You Know?
Over the years, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can prevent and even reverse many unhealthy conditions, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), type two diabetes, or heart disease.